Blind resident wants free bus fare to stay

Brent MacMurray relies on Burlington Transit to get groceries, go to doctors’ appointments and visit his mother in a local nursing home.

MacMurray is legally blind and has been since the age of nine when a car accident impaired his vision.

The 48-year-old Burlington man takes the bus once a day to visit his mom, often taking it a second time to run errands with his trusted companion, guide dog Kilo.

MacMurray, who moved to Burlington four years ago, says he is grateful for the current fare system that provides free fares on conventional buses for blind passengers with a valid CNIB card.

“One thing I looked into when moving here, I was told they had it (free fares for blind passengers) and that was big for me,” he said.

As part of mandatory fare parity legislation under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), city council passed a recommendation in early November that Handi-Van riders pay the same fare as conventional riders starting Jan. 1, 2013.

The transit department staff’s interpretation of the legislation resulted in an additional recommendation that was passed that free fares for passengers on conventional buses who are blind no longer be provided in the new year.

The approved recommendation also included the elimination of specialized fares for employees of ARC Industries (Community Living Burlington) and attendees of Halton District School Board special learning programs.

A statement from the Ministry of Community and Social Services in October says fare exceptions are at the discretion of each municipality.

Free fares for blind passengers with a valid CNIB card have been provided on conventional City of Burlington buses since 1976. Blind passengers make approximately 7,000 trips per year in Burlington.

Cathie Mason, regional manager of CNIB Hamilton, says more than half of people living with vision loss live on less than $20,000 per year, making it difficult to afford bus fare.

She said eliminating the free fare goes against the idea of improving accessibility.

“The decision to revoke free transit for residents with vision loss is in direct conflict with the true spirit of AODA — legislation enacted to protect, improve and enhance equality and accessibility standards for Ontarians with disabilities,” she wrote in an e-mail to the Post.

MacMurray said he recently learned from a bus driver he would have to start paying fares in the new year.

“I’m not happy with it and the whole reason because of the AODA is not true,” he said. “In their statements, they say it is up to the municipality what they want to do. The interpretation is causing the problem.”

Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman said he wants to delay the elimination of the free and specialized fares until the city’s legal department can review the issue — something not expected to be done until the new year.

He raised the issue Wednesday night at the Community Services Committee. As a result, city staff is going to bring back more information at the council meeting on Monday, Dec. 10.

“It is pretty evident to us with the number of municipalities across Ontario who have not done what we did, that perhaps they see it differently,” Sharman said. “Staff has clearly received the message that we must do something for council (Dec. 10). We will in all likelihood pass the motion of reconsideration, and we will in all likelihood delay, defer or take some action that will relieve the removal of the blind benefit.”

The Post contacted several transit authorities to inquire about the CNIB fare exemption.

Milton Transit established fare parity on Jan. 1, 2012 and currently offers free fares for CNIB cardholders on both conventional and specialized buses.